Prosecution closes case after tendering 3 exhibits at Anwar trial

(Bernama) – The prosecution in the Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trial closed their case on Thursday, March 24 after tendering again a toothbrush, a “Good Morning” towel and a mineral water bottle taken from the cell where he had been held overnight.

Chemist Nor Aidora Saedon and head of the police forensic laboratory in Cheras Supt Amidon Anan were recalled to tender the items after Justice Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah dismissed the defence application to review the court’s decision on Wednesday to admit them as evidence.

The evidence includes the DNA samples on them which the prosecution contends is the same as the profile of “Male Y” found in the anus of complainant Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

Solicitor-general II Datuk Mohamed Yusof Zainal Abiden told the court that the prosecution would offer 71 witnesses to the defence if the court decided that Anwar had a case to answer.

The prosecution had presented its case with 27 witnesses.

Mohamad Zabidin set April 18 for both parties to make their oral submissions.

Earlier, defence counsel Karpal Singh submitted that the court had failed to consider two points when reversing its earlier decision to disallow the items to be included as evidence.

He said that police had disregarded the Lock-up Rule which stated that a person under arrest should be in a lock-up between 6pm and 6am. Anwar was at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital at 8.30pm while under arrest.

Also, trickery had been used to get samples from Anwar, Karpal said.

Anwar, 63, is charged with sodomising his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari, 25, at the Desa Damansara Condominium in Bukit Damansara between 3.01pm and 4.30pm on June 26, 2008.

Mohamed Yusof, in his submission, said that Anwar was not rushed to record his statement and that nothing was obtained from him between 6pm and 6am.

He said the exhibits were taken from the cell at about 11am the following day (July 17 2008) after Anwar had left.